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The following list summarizes various benefits that accrue (or may accrue) to health centers that receive grants under Section 330 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 254b). Benefits designated by an asterisk are available to Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) “look-alikes” (i.e. health centers that DHHS designates as FQHCs based on a determination that they meet all Section 330 requirements but do not receive Section 330 grants) as well as Section 330 grant recipients.

1) Access to Federal grants, i.e. expansion grants, to support the costs of otherwise uncompensated comprehensive primary and preventive health care and “enabling services” delivered to uninsured and underinsured populations at sites within the Section 330 approved scope of project. FQHC “look-alikes” are eligible to apply for “new start” Section 330 grants when funding is available for such purposes.

2) Access to Federal grants to support the costs of planning and developing a network or plan for the provision of health services which may include the provision of services on a prepaid basis or through another managed care agreement, to some or all of the individuals served by Section 330 grantee.

3) Access to Federal loan guarantees of the principal and interest on loans made by non-Federal lenders for the costs of developing and operating managed care networks or plans which are majority owned and/or controlled by Section 330-supported health centers.

4) Access to grant support and loan guarantees for capital improvements.

6) Access to favorable drug pricing under Section 340B of the PHS Act, which allows FQHCs (including “look-alikes”) to purchase covered outpatient prescription pharmaceuticals for health centers patients at substantially discounted prices for distribution either directly by a health center pharmacy or through contact with a retail pharmacy.

7) Access to reimbursement under the Prospective Payment System (PPS) or other state-approved alternative payment methodology (which is predicated on a cost-based reimbursement methodology) for Medicaid services and cost-based reimbursement for services provided under Medicare. Available under the Medicaid program even if FQHC is a subcontractor to a managed care plan.

8) Absent an alternative approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), right to have State Medicaid agencies outstation Medicaid eligibility workers on FQHC site. FQHCs can also contact with State Medicaid agencies for FQHC staff to carry out (and be reimbursed for) out stationing activities at FQHC sites.

10)Safe harbor under the Federal anti-kickback statute for waiver of co-payments to the extent a patient is below 200% of Federal income poverty guidelines and therefore entitled to a discount based on the health center’s application of its schedule of discounts.

11)Access to providers through the National Health Services Corps if the health center’s service area is designated a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).

12)Access to the Federal Vaccine for Children program, which distributes to FQHCs (and other eligible providers) vaccinations at no charge for either the vaccine or its delivery to FQHCs to be provided by the FQHC to uninsured children. FQHCs are also eligible to participate in the Pfizer Sharing the Care program.